Introducing The Sydney-Chanele Dawkins Scholarship Fund

Help Our Cause

Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals of helping female writers in their journeys for creative freedom. Your generous donation will be greatly appreciated.

About Me

"Your want must be greater than theirs" -Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Sydney-Chanele Dawkins was an award-winning feature filmmaker, film curator, film festival producer and a theater/film critic and arts writer. She also served as an impassioned advocate for the arts as Chair of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts in Alexandria, VA. Fearless. Tenacious. Passionate. Loyal. These are the characteristics that best describe her approach to life, her enthusiasm for live theater and the arts, and her cinephile obsession with world cinema.

Film & Theatre Producer

Her successful first film, 'Modern Love is Automatic' premiered at SXSW in Austin, Texas and made its European debut at the Edinburgh Film Festival in Scotland.

Film Festival Curator/Theatre & Film Critic

About Us

Sydney-Chanele championed the arts! From an early age, Sydney-Chanele's vibrant spirit couldn't wait to embrace the world...and it all started with a pen. She excelled in academics, leadership, sports, and her own signature style. And everyone thought it came so easy. But, behind the scenes, God only knows she pushed herself and demanded nothing less than her best. A standard her siblings not only admired, but emulated.

Sydney-Chanele was incapable of phoniness and couldn't stomach weakness. She would be the first to tell you, living fearlessly leaves little room for weakness. The two cannot co-exist. The Bible says, "...the truth will set free." These words were at the core of Chanele's soul. And when you wear truth like a hat and scarf, it's hard to settle for anything less than FREEDOM!

Our Mission

IN THE FIERCE SPIRIT OF SYDNEY-CHANELE, WE WILL BE A BLESSING IN YOUR JOURNEY FOR CREATIVE FREEDOM.

Criteria

Who May Apply

Female writers in the arts and journalism.

Eligibility Requirements

Freshmen entering college must have a 3.0 GPA from High School and an acceptance letter from an accredited college.

Continuing students in an accredited college with at minimum GPA of 2.7

First time continuing education applicants must have two letters of recommendation from instructors in her field of writing.

Students may reapply on an annual basis. A $1000 scholarship will be given to the winning applicant. The Scholarship will be administered and distributed through the Ebenezer AME Church Scholarship Program.